Nobuko Hijiya, MD

Dr. Christine Rohde is the Chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at Columbia. She graduated from Harvard Medical School in 2000. Following her medical school education, she began her general surgery training at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. After three years of general surgery training, Dr. Rohde accepted a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency position at Montefiore Medical Center. Interested in microsurgery, Dr. Rohde completed a microsurgical fellowship at New York University Medical School’s Institute of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery in 2006. Her research focuses primarily on outcomes of plastic surgical interventions, particularly as they relate to cancer reconstruction and post-surgical care. In 2013, Dr. Rohde graduated from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health with a Masters in Public Health, focusing on comparative effectiveness research. A highly skilled clinician, researcher and teacher, Dr. Rohde is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of the full range of plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, specializing in microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, body contouring, cosmetic surgery, and breast, trauma, and cancer reconstruction. She has numerous publications and presentations in the field of plastic surgery, and is a frequently-requested speaker. She has also been seen on the Carol Alt FoxNews Show, “A Healthy You” and WABC, discussing her research and breast cancer reconstruction.

Diane George, MD cares for children and adolescents undergoing stem cell transplantation as a treatment for cancer (particularly leukemia and lymphoma), noncancerous blood disorders (like sickle cell anemia), and immunodeficiencies. She specializes in transplantation for patients who don't have a related bone marrow donor, and also takes care of patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation for solid tumors. Dr. George was originally attracted to the field of pediatric oncology because she wanted to take on the challenge of fighting pediatric cancer, and stem cell transplantation offers the ultimate cure in select patients. It is a complex medical field, and Dr. George enjoys being able to take care of children with complex medical conditions. Dr. George also conducts clinical research. She is currently evaluating a procedure called "CD34-selected stem cell transplantation" to remove T-cells from donor bone marrow. This approach reduces the risk of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) - a potential complication of bone marrow transplantation in which T-cells from the donor attack the tissue of the recipient. This approach benefits patients who do not have a well-matched family donor, and it could potentially make bone marrow transplantation an option for more patients. Dr. George is also interested in studying how a patient's immune system rebuilds itself after CD34-selected stem cell transplantation. At NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, every member of a child's healthcare team shares the same compassion and dedication to helping them get well. Dr. George looks forward each day to the camaraderie, intellectual stimulation, and problem-solving she shares with fellow team members. After being in the field for more than 20 years, Dr. George uses the knowledge and experience she has gained to benefit patients and their families.

Daniel Talmasov, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and psychiatrist in the Division of Aging and Dementia at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. After earning his M.D. at Stony Brook University, Dr. Talmasov completed his residency in psychiatry at Brigham and Women's Hospital / Harvard Medical School, followed by residency in neurology at NYU Langone / Bellevue Hospital Center, where he also served as chief resident. Dr. Talmasov then completed advanced training in Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Dr. Talmasov specializes in the treatment of patients with behavioral, cognitive, and emotional symptoms of neurodegenerative disease, including Frontotemporal Dementia and related disorders. He also provides neurobehavioral consultation for patients in the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center and the Huntington's Disease Society Center of Excellence at Columbia.